Thursday

Jun 25, 2009 at 12:01 AMJun 25, 2009 at 10:40 PM

This year’s collection of All-Scholastic talent will send three players to Division 1 college programs

There have been All-Scholastic tennis teams with more players who advanced into the quarterfinals of the South Sectional individual tournament, but in the last 10 years there haven’t been more area boys and girls who are going on to play NCAA Division 1 tennis.

Four local standouts were deemed worthy of a college scholarship. Tommy Darling, a Canton native who starred at Thayer Academy, will try to become the latest Elon College Phoenix to earn a spot in the NCAA Division 1 individual championships. Chris Nelson will play closer to home at Quinnipiac College in Connecticut. Four-time All-Scholastic Alex Chin of Hingham chose to focus more on academics and will play at Division 3 Carleton College in Minnesota.

Amanda Albuquerque of Weymouth passed up a chance to play at Providence and instead will call Ohio home, as in Wright State University.

The cupboard on the South Shore will be hardly left bare next spring. Six female honorees will return, with two juniors-to-be, Ariana Launie and Sophie Panarese, poised to capture the regional championships that eluded them.

GIRLS

AMANDA ALBUQUERQUE

Weymouth

Earned a full Division 1 scholarship to Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, after an excellent high school and USTA junior career. … Has been ranked as high as fifth in the USTA New England 16-and-under division. … Her highlight this season was defeating Newton North’s Lee Ford, 6-4, 6-4. Ford had just returned to the state after attending the famed Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla. ... Senior is a three-time All-Scholastic. … Listed her forehand and playing aggressively as the strengths of her game. … Cited her father as her favorite coach. … Enjoys playing the piano and dance. … Honor-roll student harbors pro aspirations.

MADDY ALTHOLTZ

Cohasset

This junior stepped into the shoes of being the Skippers’ No. 1 player and continuing that program’s tradition of earning All-Scholastic honors. … Went 17-2 after being a dominant force for Cohasset at No. 3 singles last spring. … Rallied from a first-set deficit against her Dover-Sherborn counterpart in the Division 3 South Sectional final. … Has won a sportsmanship award and a gold medal at the Bay State Games. ... Part of a USTA Team Tennis squad that made it to nationals in 2007. … Dictated play off her serve. … National Honor Society student is a member of the International Club and Social Awareness Organization, as well as the St. Stephen’s youth group. … Hopes to play college tennis.

ROBERTA BERGSTEIN

Hingham

The No. 1 singles player on a team that reached the Division 2 state final. … The junior’s 22-3 record included two victories over fellow All-Scholastic Maddy Altholtz (“my best tennis friend”); they were part of a USTA Team Tennis 18-and-under club that won states, districts and sectionals in 2007 to make nationals. … Her ground strokes and approach shots were among the best parts of her game. … Took nine games off fellow All-Scholastic Ariana Launie in her loss at the South Sectional individual tournament. … Honor-roll student is president of a local youth group and teaches tennis to autistic children every Sunday. … Wants to play in college.

ARIANA LAUNIE

Milton

A South Sectional individual championship is in this sophomore’s future, after making it to the semifinals last year and the final this year. … Her 21-3 record this spring, including 15-2 in the notoriously tough Bay State Conference, pushed her career mark to 44-4. … Her highlight was besting Brookline’s Marie Fleming in the South individuals after losing to her in the second match of the regular season; Ariana was the No. 3 seed, one spot behind the freshman phenom. … Ranked No. 27 in the USTA New England 16-and-under division and consistently ranked in the top 30 the last five years. … A member of the school’s Century Club for ranking in her class’ top 20. … Aspires to play tennis in college.

EDEN MARRANO

Pembroke

This junior was one of only two area girls to make it to the quarterfinals of the South Sectional individual tournament, but did not continue due to tonsil surgery. … Her 21-0 season included a 6-2, 6-2 victory over fellow All-Scholastic Kate O’Connor. … The Titans’ MVP all three seasons has accumulated a 51-3 record. … “Her strength is in ball placement,” Pembroke coach Meredith Fogarty said. “She has an amazing touch and can put the ball in the court anywhere she wants to. Because of this she keeps her opponents on the run and puts away the points.” … Also a decorated competitive figure skater. … High-honors student. … Dreams of turning pro.

KATE O’CONNOR

Scituate

The top singles player for a Sailors team that split the Patriot League Keenan Division title with Hingham. … Felt the best matches in her 18-3 junior season came during the team’s victories over Medfield and Medway in the Division 2 South Sectional team tournament that ended in the semifinals. … Possessed a strong backhand and tried to take advantage of her left-handedness. … Sailors coach Angie Bizzozero marveled at her ability to pull out three-set matches. … National Honor Society member owns a 3.6 grade-point average and is a member of S.A.D.D. and the school newspaper. … Enjoys sailing, boating and lifeguarding. … Will continue competing in USTA tournaments.

SOPHIE PANARESE

Milton Academy

This sophomore made taking over at No. 1 singles for the Mustangs look easy, dropping only 20 games while also competing at No. 1 doubles. … Her unbeaten season earned her team and Independent Schools League MVP honors. … Made it as far as the semifinals of the ‘A’ draw in the New England prep championships. ... Smooth, 5-foot-6 left-hander excelled at serving and volleying. … Served as class president and will do so again as a junior, when she also will be a team co-captain. … Earned a USTA sportsmanship award while playing in the New England 14-and-under division; she has been ranked as high as ninth in the 16s. … An excellent student who volunteers at an animal shelter. … Milton resident wants to play on a college team.

Doubles Team

BRITTNEY CANGEMI and SHELAGH JOYCE

Scituate

The top-seeded team in the northern half of the South Sectional individual tournament made it as far as the semifinals before losing in three close sets. … That was their only defeat of their senior year. … Cited the victories over their counterparts from Hingham and Cohasset during that tournament as their best matches. … First-year Sailors coach Angie Bizzozero praised their communication, and the recent Bridgewater State College graduate compared them favorably to some college doubles teams she faced.

Brittney is an accomplished sailor who will compete Division 1 for Connecticut College. … On the hard courts, her favorite shots were down the doubles alleys and her serve. … Teaches tennis at the Scituate Youth Center. … National Honor Society member was part of the French Club and the Model U.N. leadership program. … Plans to major in biology and French. … Wants to become an ophthalmologist.

Shelagh’s favorite shots were her volleys and forehand. … Honor-roll student was the recipient of a Century Award. … Involved in student government. … Has volunteered with the Appalachia Service Project and taught tennis the last three summers. … Played field hockey for the Sailors. … Bocce is among her hobbies. … Will enter Duquesne University as a business major. … Wants to get into sports marketing.

Honorable Mention

Audrey Fitzpatrick, Thayer, sophomore, singles

Sarah Forman, Plymouth North, senior, singles

Ashley Fidler, Marshfield, junior, doubles

Taylor Koelsch, Marshfield, junior, doubles

Leah Kelly, Marshfield, junior, singles

Lexi Lazares, Milton Academy, freshman, singles

Emily Mangello, Plymouth North, junior, singles

Jill McQuiggan, Notre Dame, senior, singles

Jenny Magruder, Cohasset, junior, doubles

Maggie McGoldrick, Cohasset, senior, doubles

BOYS

ALEX CHIN

Hingham

This senior graduates as one of the most decorated boys players in the area after being chosen All-Scholastic all four years of his high school career. … Went 20-2 in the regular season, including victories over fellow All-Scholastics Brayden Minahan and Peter Kerr. … Feels his backhand is one of the strengths of his game. … National Honor Society president was a member of the Century Club reserved for those in the top 25 of his class. … A cellist who was vice president of the school orchestra. … Will play Division 3 tennis at Carleton College in Minnesota, where he will major in physics. … Wants to become an engineer or a pilot.

TOMMY DARLING

Thayer Academy

Amazingly, never lost in his high school career, going 60-0 in four seasons, the last of which were spent in the No. 1 singles and doubles positions. … MVP of the Tigers and the Independent Schools League. … Accomplished junior player who ranked as high as fifth in New England and qualified for the USTA national tournament for 18-year-olds. … Cited speed, determination, consistency and discipline as his best attributes. … Volunteers as a Eucharistic minister. … Enjoys surfing. … Honor-roll student from Canton is interested in a career with the FBI or military. … Received a Division 1 scholarship to play at Elon College in North Carolina.

PETER KERR

Sharon

An All-Scholastic last season in doubles, this senior did not slack when he moved up to No. 1 singles, compiling a 16-3 overall mark, including 15-1 in the regular season. … The Hockomock League MVP helped the Eagles win their 30th consecutive league championship. … 43-5 in three seasons. … The 5-foot-11 right-hander likes his forehand. … With his doubles background, it is not a surprise that Peter liked to go to net, particularly after an approach to his opponent’s backhand. … Valuable defender on the Eagles’ soccer team that made it to the Division 2 state final in 2007. … Will attend Colby College in Maine, where he will major in business and continue playing soccer but not tennis.

BRAYDEN MINAHAN

Duxbury

Made the jump from being an honorable mention in his varsity debut to being a full All-Scholastic as a sophomore. … Compiled a 15-5 mark at No. 1 singles for the Division 2 South Sectional finalists. … His best match was upsetting previously undefeated Pat Walker of Apponequet during the South Sectional individual tournament, in which he advanced as far as the quarterfinals. … His strength was dictating play with his groundstrokes; Green Dragons coach John Bunar said Brayden improved most on taking balls earlier. … Honor-roll student won a Patriot League sportsmanship award. … Ranked 40th in the USTA New England 16-and-under division. … A member of the DHS golf team.

CHRIS NELSON

Scituate

Became the local player who advanced the furthest in the South Sectional individual tournament, toppling Falmouth’s Rich Litterest en route to his run into the semifinals. … Beat fellow All-Scholastics Alex Chin and Brayden Minahan twice each in an 18-0 regular season. … The 6-4, 165-pound right-hander thought his backhand was his strength, but liked to uncork the between-the-legs shot. … Winner of a Dorothea Devereaux Character Award for leadership within the classroom. … A Patriot League soccer all-star who will continue playing tennis at Div. 1 Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. He’ll major in sports management with an eye toward becoming a sports agent.

Doubles Team

JOHN RIPPLE and RYAN JOHNSON

Hingham

This repeat All-Scholastic combination won 23 of 24 matches in team competition, and it’s a testament to their competitiveness that their favorite match was their only loss: a three-setter to Winchester in the Division 2 state final. … The No. 2 seed in the northern half of the South Sectional individual tournament, the seniors were one victory away from advancing to the quarterfinals.

For John, this is his third All-Scholastic nod, with the first coming with Trevor Marsden. … “I love my serve,” said the 6-foot right-hander. … A member of the Harbormen’s Patriot League-winning 4x200-meter relay team in indoor track. … National Honor Society member was a member of the math team, Spanish club and school symphony … Also enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball. … A volunteer with the Aceing Autism program at the Weymouth Club. … Will attend Villanova University, where he will study mechanical engineering.

The son of Hingham assistant coach Bob Johnson, Ryan thought his forehand and volleying were his strengths this season. … Also enjoyed their victory over Sharon in the Division 2 South Sectional semifinals. … Played at the Weymouth Club in the offseason. … A youth softball and basketball volunteer. … Honor-roll student likes playing Wiffle ball and table tennis … Will play Division 3 tennis at Drew University in New Jersey, where he will major in computer science.

Honorable mention

Victor Hartmann, Cohasset, senior, singles

Sanjay Rau, Hingham, junior, singles

Chandler Semjem, Hingham, junior, singles

Jay Wright, Norwell, senior, singles

T.J. Scholberg, Duxbury, senior, doubles

Connor Dunphy, Duxbury, senior, doubles

Matt Devine, Pembroke, senior, doubles

Jordan Tocher, Pembroke, senior, doubles

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